By Esseh Ikora
The secretariat of Buhari Support Groups in Uyo has been marked for demolition by the Uyo Capital City Development Authority, UCCDA an agency of the Akwa Ibom State government.
The office, inaugurated by a representative of President Muhammadu Buhari and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly, Matter Barr Ita Enang on Monday this week, was marked for demolition Wednesday.
When our Reporter visited the secretariat along Willington Bassey way, it was observed that the NCBSG building is the only structure that has been designated for demolition.
An anonymous source told newsmen that government had planned to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy before proceeding on demolition of the premises.
The source condemned the planned demolition of the NCBSG, saying that the move by the Akwa Ibom State government was callous considering the intensity of reactions that would follow if the facility is demolished.
“The Akwa Ibom State government wants to demolish the premises. By marking the building for demolition, they will soon revoke the Certificate of Occupancy before demolishing the building.” He said.
But the chairman of UCCDA Mr Enobong Uwah told Nigerian Pilot that the building had earlier been marked for demolition before now.
Uwah, a former commissioner for Environment explained that the owners of the building were required to furnish the authority with the Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant papers concerning the building adding that other buildings in the capital city that did not meet the requirements of government were also marked.
It was learnt that the building which was a hotel, has been existing for more than 20 years. Barrack Roads, where the building is located is few metres away from Government House.
It was learnt that the state government had asked the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Department of State Service to halt the NCBSG office inauguration but both security heads were said to have told them that they would provide security during the event.
It was also gathered that the state government had approached the owner of the building to take over the premises, but the owner was said to have told the state government that NCBSG had already paid for the place.
Effort to speak with the state coordinator of the NCBSG, Mr. Ignatius Edet was unsuccessful as he dropped his call after the issue was mentioned to him, while the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Amadu Atai, could not be reached as at the time of filing the report.
